The Rising Tide by Sam Lloyd

The Rising Tide by Sam Lloyd
Buy The Rising Tide by Sam Lloyd at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Category: Thrillers
Reviewer: Sue Magee
Summary: A gripping story of a family destroyed by a malicious attack which they have to face in a destructive storm. Utterly unoutdownable.
Buy? Yes	Borrow? Yes
Pages: 400	Date: July 2021
Publisher: Bantam
ISBN: 978-1787631861
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Lucy Locke's early life hadn't been easy but she'd built a good and decent life in the aftermath. She's now married to Daniel, who co-owns Locke-Povey Marine on Penleith Beach, and they live at Wild Ridge on Mortis Point with Billie, Lucy's daughter and Fin, the child she had with Daniel. They have financial difficulties, some caused by Nick Povey, Daniel's partner and so-called best friend. Nick and Daniel have a history together from the time they both spent in a children's home but it's difficult to think that Nick has Daniel's best interests at heart, particularly where Lucy, or money, is concerned.

They were getting by, though, until the day of the storm - and what a storm it was. Boats were running for cover into Skentel harbour. So why would Daniel take their boat, The Lazy Susan out into the storm? Why would he pick Fin up from school in the middle of the morning with the excuse of a dental appointment they'd all forgotten about and take him onto the boat? And why would Billie be there too? And then The Lazy Susan was found drifting and was towed into the harbour by the RNLI. They'd had to put a pump on board to stop the boat from sinking - the seacocks had been smashed.

Daniel taking the boat out into the storm was barely understandable but a missing child - Fin's still at junior school - and a young adult meant that the police were involved straight away. DI Abraham Rose and DS Cooper were in Skentel to investigate. Abraham Rose was a sick man: there was something dreadfully wrong with his lungs and although he never mentions the word 'cancer', it's difficult to come to any other conclusion. You suspect that he won't make old bones and his illness is affecting his faith which has always meant so much to him - but he's determined that he's going to see Billie and Fin brought home.

Then Daniel is rescued from the sea.

Skentel's a supportive community dLucy has friends around her but you suspect that not everyone has her, or Daniel's welfare at heart. It's a small community and there's always someone with an axe to grind or an old score to settle. Sam Lloyd's characterisation is superb but perhaps the character which steals the show is the sea itself. There are some scenes out at sea at the height of the storm which are so evocative they left my heart pounding.

You want to know about the plot, though, don't you? It is very good and (without giving anything away) is more realistic in its outcomes than many other books in this genre. I appreciated that. I also liked that I really didn't spot who was behind the plot against Lucy, or why. It was ingeniously done and well-written. I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy of the book to the Bookbag.

If this book appeals to you, we think that you'll also enjoy The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex - another story where the sea is a major character.

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